Fairly Smooth Week, Until Tomorrow (Maybe)...
All in all, this has been a good week! Tomorrow marks the end of the quarter, so we are wrapping the quarter up with some projects (along with taking it a little easy on the 8th graders since they had state testing start this week).
In 7th grade, the students have wrapped up learning about natural selection, and we built the connection from natural selection to evolution. We started off with a WebQuest to learn about the evolution of arthropods. I was a little surprised by how some of the students couldn't seem to handle seeing these creepy, crawly critters on the computer screen, but I guess it takes some of them longer to outgrow this. Once learning about all the unique adaptations that have helped arthropods survive, the students have been tasked with selecting a current organism and imagining what adaptations the organism will have in two million years. I have a feeling I am going to encounter some rather interesting creations! ***Side note: I need to apologize, as last week I mentioned I was going to take a few pictures of my students' infographics on natural selection and post them today, but I forgot :-(
As I mentioned, the 8th graders started their state testing this week, so that meant we didn't hit them too hard with other academics. That's not to say I didn't keep them busy, though. Last week we began our studies of the periodic table by completing a menu of choice projects. This week was pretty much a work week on those choice projects, along with a few review games thrown into the mix and some preparation work for the state testing. We prep for the tests so that the students can have a good knowledge base of how to maneuver the test, and to be perfectly honest, the students didn't want to do the practice sessions. As they said, "We already know how to use the test tools!" However, I reminded them that they haven't taken the science portion of the test since 4th grade, so it was important that they get an idea of the types of questions they would be exposed to. They obliged, begrudgingly, but at least I can't be accused of not preparing them! I'm hopeful that they did well, seeing as so many of them have the mindset of "it doesn't affect my grades" after taking the tests for so many years.
I'll finish with a little piece of nervousness. Now that I'm part of the middle school community, I was invited to play in the student-staff basketball game. A few of the students had asked me if I was going to play, so I said I would--I figured it would be fun. I'm a little anxious, though, as I'm not really known for my athletic prowess...I didn't play high school sports. Oh well, I'll be huffing and puffing up and down the court, so here's to hoping I don't suck (or have a heart attack)!
Mindfulness thought for the week--Everything you think is the most painful situation you are in will be in your past. --Kevin Pollak
As I sat here typing that, I kind of figured that probably applies to my worries of the basketball game...
In 7th grade, the students have wrapped up learning about natural selection, and we built the connection from natural selection to evolution. We started off with a WebQuest to learn about the evolution of arthropods. I was a little surprised by how some of the students couldn't seem to handle seeing these creepy, crawly critters on the computer screen, but I guess it takes some of them longer to outgrow this. Once learning about all the unique adaptations that have helped arthropods survive, the students have been tasked with selecting a current organism and imagining what adaptations the organism will have in two million years. I have a feeling I am going to encounter some rather interesting creations! ***Side note: I need to apologize, as last week I mentioned I was going to take a few pictures of my students' infographics on natural selection and post them today, but I forgot :-(
As I mentioned, the 8th graders started their state testing this week, so that meant we didn't hit them too hard with other academics. That's not to say I didn't keep them busy, though. Last week we began our studies of the periodic table by completing a menu of choice projects. This week was pretty much a work week on those choice projects, along with a few review games thrown into the mix and some preparation work for the state testing. We prep for the tests so that the students can have a good knowledge base of how to maneuver the test, and to be perfectly honest, the students didn't want to do the practice sessions. As they said, "We already know how to use the test tools!" However, I reminded them that they haven't taken the science portion of the test since 4th grade, so it was important that they get an idea of the types of questions they would be exposed to. They obliged, begrudgingly, but at least I can't be accused of not preparing them! I'm hopeful that they did well, seeing as so many of them have the mindset of "it doesn't affect my grades" after taking the tests for so many years.
I'll finish with a little piece of nervousness. Now that I'm part of the middle school community, I was invited to play in the student-staff basketball game. A few of the students had asked me if I was going to play, so I said I would--I figured it would be fun. I'm a little anxious, though, as I'm not really known for my athletic prowess...I didn't play high school sports. Oh well, I'll be huffing and puffing up and down the court, so here's to hoping I don't suck (or have a heart attack)!
Mindfulness thought for the week--Everything you think is the most painful situation you are in will be in your past. --Kevin Pollak
As I sat here typing that, I kind of figured that probably applies to my worries of the basketball game...
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